Can't think of a better way to celebrate your birthday than to be a member of a face-melting band at one of their most magical times of touring.

Fall '83 just crushes, from start to finish. As if that wasn't rich enough, the fall tour comes on the heels of a 17-date tour of the PNW, CO, TX(?), and CA. They were playing out of the way places in the West on a level they hadn't since the "laryngitis tour" of California in January 78.

The 11-show East Coast fall tour included MSG's bust out of St. Stephen, the infamous Hartford gigs, Lake Acid, and this (now) famous Brent birthday gig (thanks to 30 Trips). I've had a soundboard for years, too, and thought I "understood" this show. Well . . .

This FOB recording is a REVELATION. While the board has always been nice, this Sennheiser grab (as gaZeebo mentions) far exceeds. It's so clear that the audience literally takes a back seat, but the full mix of the hall is on display. Phil is especially rich in this mix, and it captures that "je ne sais quois" of "that" fall 83 sound. It's rich and fluid, while also being open and airy.

Not quite as raunchy as the BCT Halloween performance, this Worcester gig has a lilting swagger I rather enjoy. The Scarlet-> Fire is MASSIVE, and the Uncle John's> Playin' is full of satisfying wandering. It's a steady-Eddie performance all the way through set 1, and the post-Space is solid. It's one of those nights when the band sounds like they could do this in their sleep (in a good way). Think: "Just like a Swiss watch" timing.

I now have to agree after a listen, this is superior to the board. Get it!

just sayin!